32 MARINE SCIENCE 



t>ur assessment of the hazard to man that might result from these 



actions. , , . .^- 



There is no implication here that we are completely ignorant with 

 reo-ard to the behavior of the oceans. On the contrary, the oceano^- 

 raphers in this country are leaders in their respective fields, and it is 

 due to their efforts that we are now able to recommend what are cer- 

 tainly safe but restrictive procedures, and to outline the framework 

 within which detailed studies can provide the basis for safe and effi- 

 cient uses of the marine resources. 



Our present situation is one in which our inventory of trained 

 oceanographers and oceanographic research facilities cannot keep 

 pace with the demands for solutions to the problems caused by a rap- 

 idly expanding technology that either directly or indirectly becomes 

 involved with the world's oceans. 



The situation is urgent but not hopeless. There is time to make up 

 our deficiencies, but no extra time. In my opinion we need a rela- 

 tively long-term national policy that will (1) provide for the training 

 of new oceanographers, primarily at the graduate and postgraduate 

 levels, in a manner that will permit realistic competition with other 

 science fields for the minds and talents of new scientists,^ and (2) 

 provide the facilities, both land-based and seagoing, that will permit 

 present and future marine scientists to carry on efficiently their 

 studies of the sea. Given these, I feel sure American oceanography can 

 resume its place as a leader. 



The Chairman. Well, Doctor, don't you think that we iieed to 

 know this for another good reason? The world's oceans are the 

 property of everyone. Other nations are embarking upon nuclear 

 programs. It is obvious we are going to have to have some inter- 

 national agreements. How can we go to a conference and propose 

 international agreements, or accept them, or take any leadership in 

 them if we don't know what we are talking about when we get there ? 



Mr. Careitt. Precisely. 



The Chairman. Or some other country at least assumes they know 

 more about what they are talking about than we do. 



Technically, we go in emptyhanded at some of these conferences. 



Mr. Carritt. That is correct. 



The Chairman. And we have countries that are going to play with 

 this dangerous thing and have no knowledge whatsoever. You can- 

 not even suggest something to them because they won't take your sug- 

 gestion as they know we are a little deficient in that knowledge. 



It seems to me we just can't get away from the fact that there will 

 have to be some international agreements in this whole matter, and 

 I am not talking about the uses. They can be military or peaceful. 

 You agree with me, do you not, Mr. Pike ? 



Mr. Pike. Yes, sir. 



The Chairman. This is what people want to know. 



Of course, I think Ave go secondhanded into most of these confer- 

 ences anyway, but in this case we would have a definite assurance we 

 would be going in secondhanded. 



Mr. Pike. I agree unless we take and keep the lead in the knowledge 

 of what may happen to people if radiation gets up to a dangerous 

 level, we cannot expect to lead other nations into an agreement about 

 this ocean which is, after all, the common property of all mankind. 



